2024-04-26 15:18
The duo of sleuth Byomkesh Bakshi and his sidekick, Ajit Bandopadhyay, created by Bengali author Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, were inspired by the eponymous Sherlock Holmes and his partner, Dr… Read More
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Bay Area Bloke Blog
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A website dedicated to reviews of books, movies and podcasts. Also includes travel articles.
2024-04-25 14:57
Today we review a psychological thriller, produced and directed by the “Master of Suspense,” Alfred Hitchcock: “Strangers on a Train.” The movie is based on a book by… Read More
2024-04-24 15:15
Even a casual perusal of my blog would reveal my passion for movies of numerous genres from all over the world. With no formal education in film or moviemaking, I see myself as a lifelong st… Read More
2024-04-23 19:25
While it may not be the hottest of places to visit, Concord and Walden Pond hold significant meaning for me. I first delved into the writings of Thoreau on ‘Civil Disobedience’ a… Read More
2024-04-22 17:49
Today, we will look at “Lady Vengeance,” a stylish neo-noir film from iconic director Park Chan-Wook, who also directed “The Handmaiden.” “Lady Vengeance”… Read More
2024-04-21 17:26
“Promising Young Woman” (PYW), written and directed by Emerald Fennell, is a slow-burn thriller with a hard-hitting impact and packs a powerful message. It is a female-oriented m… Read More
2024-04-21 02:02
In this post, we look at a neo-noir with a female antagonist as its lead character. ‘The Last Seduction’ is a steamy neo-noir from the 90s starring Linda Fiorentino, Bill Pullman… Read More
2024-04-18 15:44
“Sleuth” is a 1972 crime thriller, also based on a play that has some similarities to Deathtrap, the movie I reviewed in my last post, though its lead character is driven by… Read More
2024-04-17 15:33
“Deathtrap” is a 1982 movie based on a play written by Ira Levin, directed by Sidney Lumet, and includes a stellar cast that features Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, and Dyan C… Read More
2024-04-16 17:19
In my last post, I reviewed the classic action movie Hard Boiled, which combined the talents of Director John Woo and star thespian Chow Yun Fat. The Killer is another Hong Kong action movie… Read More
2024-04-15 23:13
Who could have imagined, two decades ago, that a director and star from Hong Kong would be a worldwide inspiration for stylish gangster movies with gun fights? John Woo and Chow Yun Fat woul… Read More
2024-04-14 18:43
Directed by acclaimed director Brian De Palma and starring John Travolta, Blow Out is another neo-noir classic. Despite being hailed by critics upon its release, neither Travolta nor De Palm… Read More
2024-04-14 01:50
“Evil Under the Sun” is a classic Agatha Christie whodunit featuring the mustached sleuth, Hercule Poirot. Peter Ustinov plays the famous Poirot for the second time, following &l&hell…Read More
2024-04-13 02:04
“The Guilty” is a Danish crime thriller directed by Gustav Möller, with a screenplay Möller co-wrote with Emil Nygaard Albertsen. It is a testament to the fact that one… Read More
2024-04-11 21:12
As I’ve mentioned before, Denver, Colorado, holds a special place in my heart as it is the home of my second Alma Mater and my first Masters degree in the US. It was the 90s, and the M… Read More
2024-04-11 03:53
Sleep Tight, directed by Jaume Balagueró is but chilling psychological thriller about a twisted concierge of an apartment building in Barcelona.
César (Luis Tosar) the care… Read More
2024-04-09 23:54
“Handmaiden,” the Korean classic thriller and period film directed, co-written, and co-produced by legendary director Park Chan-wook, is a masterpiece of a movie. It is a story o… Read More
2024-04-09 03:13
‘Confessions of Murder’ is an absorbing Korean action thriller written and directed by Jung Byung-gil. The movie is set in the 1990s and features a unique and interesting plot, g… Read More
2024-04-08 02:01
“Purple Noon” is a classic thriller starring French superstar Alain Delon in his first major role. It is the earliest movie adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel, &ldquo&hell…Read More
2024-04-04 07:33
Only a few days ago, I reviewed ‘Memories of Murder‘, the classic Korean investigative crime thriller based on a real incident. In this post, we will look at ‘The Secret in… Read More
2024-04-03 04:01
In the bustling realm of British cinema, where tales of mystery and suspense often find their mark, “Croupier” emerges as a riveting masterpiece, painting the screen with shades… Read More
2024-04-01 06:41
For seafood enthusiasts residing in the Bay Area, King’s Fish House stands out as a premier destination. Conveniently located in the Westfield Valley Fair mall, just a stone’s th… Read More
2024-03-29 05:07
Seventeen years before directing the Oscar winner, Parasite, Director Bong Joon-ho made “Memories of Murder”, a riveting neo-noir crime thriller that won awards in Korea, Toronto… Read More
2024-03-27 04:46
“′Classic′ – a book which people praise and don’t read.”― Mark Twain
Mark Twain’s quote holds good for great movies too. Oftentimes, movieg… Read More
2024-03-19 04:11
Lone star, directed by John Sayles is a hidden gem, a powerful neo western, starring starring Chris Cooper, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Morton, Elizabeth Pena , Ron Canada and Kris Kristofferso… Read More
2024-03-09 03:54
In this post, we look at the neo noir classic that launched Richard Gere’s career, American Gigolo. Written and directed by Paul Schrader, the movie packs an offbeat plot and a stand o… Read More
2024-03-06 05:41
While some may say that the greatest gangster saga has been told in the Godfather movies, the Cohen brothers have given us an overlooked masterpiece in Miller’s crossing. It is another… Read More
2024-02-28 00:05
When it comes to researching and presenting a political topic, it is hard to imagine that anyone could surpass Rachel Maddow. Having reviewed and relished two of her podcasts, it was only a… Read More
2024-02-24 20:12
Here are some more highlights of our trip to Houston.
Marfreless, River Oaks Shopping Center
Concealed in the River Oaks Shopping Center is a Marfreless, a Speakeasy bar worth visiti… Read More
2024-02-24 19:05
A wedding in the family took us to Houston, Texas where we loved some unique venues.
Sri Meenakshi Devasthanam
The auditorium Meenakshi temple in Pearland was the site of the wedding… Read More
2024-02-23 22:57
Sixth Street with its bars and live music, underlines Austin’s place as the live music capital of the world. It’s unique bars give it a one of a kind vibe.
Having covered 6t… Read More
2024-02-23 22:36
Texas State Capitol Building
The Capitol building, the seat of the Texas State government is a majestic building with a captivating architecture , situated in Downtown Austin. It houses t… Read More
2024-02-23 21:49
Austin Texas, as I have mentioned before, is one of my favorite cities to visit. This is my third visit here, but is particularly special, because this is the first time I visited the city f… Read More
2023-12-19 15:51
‘Stormy Monday’, directed by Mike Figgis and starring Sean Bean, Melanie Griffith, Tommy Lee Jones and Sting, set in Newcastle, England is a great little British Neo Noir movie… Read More
2023-12-19 06:33
Delightful is not a word typically associated with neo noir movies, but Harper, starring Paul Newman and directed by Jack Smight is a delightful, funny and intriguing watch. The movie is bas… Read More
2023-12-17 19:52
Compliance, written, produced and directed by Craig Zobel, is an interesting, hard-hitting, disturbing, crime thriller. Its message serves as a warning about the impact of fearing autho… Read More
2023-12-15 03:55
Memento, is a neo-noir work of art from director Christopher Nolan. The plot of the movie is non-linear that moves across in two parallel lines. One line of the plot is in color where each p… Read More
2023-12-13 17:32
Directed by Alan Parker and based on the book, Fallen Angel by William Hjortsberg is a psychological thriller neo noir, that packs horror and supernatural elements. the cast of the film i… Read More
2023-12-12 12:10
Fargo is a superb neo-noir black comedy from Joel and Ethan Cohen that packs a riveting plot and a stellar ensemble cast. Set in Fargo, South Dakota in the late 80s, the movie claims to be b… Read More
2023-12-11 11:59
For lovers of tasty dishes in the Bay Area, a great place to try out is Water Tower, in Campbell CA. The restaurant offers a great choice of American, Mexican, Italian and even Hawaiian dish… Read More
2023-12-10 12:11
‘The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun’ (TLCGG), or ‘La Dame dans l’auto avec des lunettes et un fusil‘ is a watchable French Belgian crime thriller direct… Read More
2023-12-09 18:37
If you are in the bay area, and looking for good Thai (and some good Malay dishes ) food, you cannot go wrong with Oriental Krunthai. The place has descent decor, a sizeable dining area and… Read More
2023-12-08 11:37
The Lincoln Lawyer is a great legal thriller directed by Brad Furman, based on the novel of the same name by Michael Connelley. With Matthew McConaughey in the lead, the cast of the movie al… Read More
2023-12-07 08:15
‘Mullholand Drive’, written and directed by David Lynch, is one of the most fascinating movies I have experienced, It is the ultimate ‘deep thinker’s neo noir&rs&helli…Read More
2023-12-06 12:17
Based on a book by Jim Foley, ‘After Dark, My Sweet’ is another superb neo-noir film. Set in the sunlit city of Palm Springs, California the movie’s cast includes Jason Pat… Read More
2023-12-05 23:45
Visiting the Universal City Walk complex, is another great place to spent an evening, in the city of Angels. Within just three blocks, the area is studded with great eateries for dining, cl… Read More
2023-12-01 12:13
Blood Simple, the first movie directed by the Cohen brothers, is a neo noir work of art. While it has many of the facets of a noir film such as an illicit affair, a vengeful spouse, a priva… Read More
2023-11-30 12:16
‘A Bay of Blood’ is a Giallo thriller, from Mario Brava, the ‘Master of Macabre. Upon release, the movie was heavily criticized for it’s extreme gore and violence, b… Read More
2023-11-29 11:56
‘Blue Velvet’, from iconic director, David Lynch is another movie that makes the list of greatest noir movies of all time. Packing a talented cast, the movie can be considered a… Read More
2023-11-28 12:34
Considered by many critics, as the first Blaxploitation movie ever made, ‘Cotton Comes to Harlem’ is a delightful, neo noir comedy with memorable characters. It is based on a bo… Read More
2023-11-27 11:55
‘Phenomena’ is another good Giallo movie from Dario Argento, that has a very interesting plot, with some supernatural elements thrown in. Jennifer Connelly plays Jennifer Corvi… Read More
2023-11-26 12:00
Today, we will look at director Roman Polanski’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to the big screen. This overlooked gem, is his first movie after the gruesome murder of his… Read More
2023-11-25 11:41
Directed by noteworthy Giallo director, Sergio Martino, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Ward (SVMW) is another good watchable Giallo slasher movie. Like many of Martino’s creations, SVMW is… Read More
2023-11-24 11:44
From director Brian De Palma, comes The Untouchables, a classic mob movie, with a stellar cast that includes Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Andy Garcia and Robert De Nero. It is loosely based… Read More
2023-11-23 12:05
In this post, we will look at an early Giallo movie, ”Blood and Black Lace’ (BBL). BBL is directed by Mario Brava, the ‘Master of the Macabre’, one of the most well k… Read More
2023-11-22 11:49
‘Cat O Nine Tails’ (CONT) is the second movie in director Dario Argento’s Giallo “Animal Trilogy“. It is yet another intense thriller from the ‘Master o… Read More
2023-11-21 11:56
2 days in the Valley, is another underrated neo noir from the late 90s. With screenplay and direction by John Herzfeld, the movie packs a face-paced rivetting plot, numerous twists and an ou… Read More
2023-11-20 11:59
Today, we will look at ‘ Cold in July’ a modest neo noir independent movie, directed by Jim Mickle, based on a book by the same name, authored by Joe R. Lansdale . I Michael C… Read More
2023-11-19 11:57
It is time to bring the curtains down on the Sin City Graphic novel series. In this post, we will look at the last volume of the series, Hell an Back. It is also the largest volume in the s… Read More
2023-11-18 11:52
‘The Spanish Prisoner’ is a deliciously wicked film noir, directed by David Mamet, who also wrote the film’s screenplay. Like the first movie he directed, ‘House of G… Read More
2023-11-17 11:54
Cutter’s Way is an overlooked neo noir gem, directed by Ivan Passer, based on the book ‘Cutter and Bone’ by Newton Thornburg. When first released as ‘Cutter and Bone… Read More
2023-11-16 12:18
Sixteen years after the neo noir classic, Chinatown came this sequel, with Jack Nicholson reprising his role, as the gritty sleuth, Jake Gillis. This project delayed in production for yea… Read More
2023-11-15 17:37
From Spanish director, Oriol Paulo, who gave us El Cuerpo in 2012, comes another intense thriller, ‘The Invisible Guest’, a tale of betrayal, adultery, murder and coverups. A wit… Read More
2023-11-14 12:05
Nightcrawler is a stand-out neo noir movie, from Dan Gilroy who also wrote its screenplay. It is a cynical look at our insatiable need for sensational news, to temporarily distract ourselv… Read More
2023-11-13 12:06
‘Drive’ directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and based on a book of the same name by James Sallis is another movie that makes the list of best Neo Noir movies of all time. With Ryan… Read More
2023-11-12 12:57
It is time to take a look at the penultimate volume of the Frank Miller’s Neo Noir graphic Novel Series. Set in a brutal Universe, in the lawless, fictitious Basin City (Sin City for… Read More
2023-11-11 22:07
Produced by Martin Scorsese, and directed by Stephen Frears, ‘The Grifters’ is a neo noir gem, a wisted tale about three twisted criminals. It is based on Jim Thomson’… Read More
2023-11-10 21:08
Chinatown, directed by Roman Polanski and based on a screenplay from Robert Towne is one of the defining Neo-noir movies of all time. Set in the Los Angeles of 1937, the movie features Jack… Read More
2023-11-09 12:30
‘Deep Red’ is a Giallo classic, directed by the ‘master of horror’, Dario Argento, two years prior to Suspira, his horror masterpiece. Deep Red, released at the peak… Read More
2023-11-08 12:58
Kenneth Branagh reprized his role as the iconic Hercule Poirot in ‘A Haunting in Venice’, a loose adaptation of Agatha Christie’s book, Halloween Party. Branagh, who is a… Read More
2023-11-07 12:35
Deemed notorious and unsavory when released, ‘Baby Face’ is a landmark movie to come out of the Pre-Code Era.
The Pre-code era lasted 1927 through 1934, sandwiched between the… Read More
2023-11-06 12:35
‘Suspira’ , directed by the legendary Giallo Dario Argento , is based on ‘Suspiria de Profundis’, an essay by Thomas De Quincey, and is considered a defining movie as… Read More
2023-11-05 13:19
Tenebrae (“Darkness”, also called Tenebre) is another gory Giallo whodunit from acclaimed director, Dario Argento. Considered to be one of his best, this Giallo has along all t… Read More
2023-11-04 00:31
Unlike most of my reviews of movies, today’s post features a light, but delightful, dark comedy from Woody Allen. As with many of his movies, the offbeat plot features a writer, est… Read More
2023-11-03 22:49
It is time, once again, to look at yet another yarn from the Sin City Universe, presented to us by Frank Miller. We now look at ‘Family Values’. As mentioned earlier. The entire… Read More
2023-11-02 12:17
The first Scarface, released in 1932 directed by Howard Hawks is loosely on the 1929 novel , Armitage Trail, by Maurice R Coons. In this post, we will compare it with its 1983 remake, by on… Read More
2023-11-01 12:36
Studded with fine cuisine and bars,Downtown Cambell, is a great place for a night out with friends or a romantic date in the Bay area. One of my favorite haunts in the area is Vesper, a… Read More
2023-10-31 12:51
‘Last night in Soho’ (LNS), directed by Edgar Wright, recreates the magic of both Swinging London, and the Giallo movies of the 60s and 70s. It is an absorbing visual treat, tha… Read More
2023-10-30 13:52
‘Four Flies on Grey Velvet’ (FFGV) is a Giallo movie, directed by ‘The Master of Horror’, Dario Argento. It is the third movie in his ‘Animal Trilogy‘… Read More
2023-10-29 12:38
In this post, we will look at two adaptations of the 1949 novel, ‘ The Screaming Mimi’ by Fredric Brown. One is an American film noir adaptation, ‘Screaming Mimi’ d… Read More
2023-10-28 20:13
‘The Public Enemy’ directed by William A. Wellman is one of a group of three pre-code movies that are considered the ancestors of the modern day gangster genre. ‘Little Ca… Read More
2023-10-27 04:43
Little Caesar, directed by Mervyn LeRoy, is part of a trifecta of movies that are considered among the most influential to the gangster genre of movies. The movie, based on a book of the… Read More
2023-10-25 19:32
If you are in an adventurous mood to sample a variety of ale, and happen to be in the South Bay area, Kelleyy Brewing Company(KBC) in Downtown, Morgan Hill, has you covered. This is a fami… Read More
2023-10-24 12:21
It is time to to look at another installment of Frank Miller’s Sin City Series, ‘ That Yelllow Bastard’. This is the 4th novel in the series. It introduces another Sin Cit… Read More
2023-10-23 14:45
Laura, directed by Otto Preminger, is based on a novel of the same name, by Vera Caspary, and is considered on of the greatest film noir movies of all time. The utterly improbable plot… Read More
2023-10-22 12:25
Situated in a Strip Mall in Morgan Hill, is one of my favorite restaurants in Morgan Hill, Vietasia. The Restaurant offers a fine Fusion Vietnamese cuisine. It has a decent bar, and a small… Read More
2023-10-21 13:26
‘Out of the Past’, directed by Jacques Tourneur, with Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer and Kirk Douglas in the lead, is considered one of the greatest Film Noir movies of all time. It… Read More
2023-10-20 13:05
‘Seven Notes in Black’, a.k.a ‘Sette note in nero‘ a.k.a ‘The Psychic’, is an Italian Giallo mystery thriller directed by Lucio Fulci. Giallo or Italia… Read More
2023-10-19 12:48
Two years after his maiden and last directorial effort, veteran British thespian Charles Laughton returned to acting in Witness For Prosecution, a movie that would be hailed as one of the b… Read More
2023-10-18 12:40
It is time to look at the third installment from the Sin City Graphic series. Dwight McCarthy, Basin City’s most popular ladies man and ‘patsy’ returns in this yarn, and th… Read More
2023-10-17 21:59
House of Games, released in 1987 marks playwright, film maker and author David Mamet’s foray in movie direction. It is a neo noir hidden gem, with twisted plot, a series of twists in… Read More
2023-10-16 13:24
Its yet another day, and its time to review yet another Brian De Palma movie, that yet another homage, to Hitchcock. Sisters, an early 70s Brian De Palma tribute to Hitchcock, is a psyc… Read More
2023-10-15 22:41
Le Samouraï starring french superstar, Alain Delon and directed by iconic director by Jean-Pierre Melville is one of the greatest Neo Noir movies ever made. Jean-Pierre Melville who a… Read More
2023-10-13 20:13
Blow Up, an adaptation of Julio Cortázar’s short story “Las babas del diablo” is the first English movie directed by legendary Italian director Michelangelo Antonio… Read More
2023-10-13 02:59
Continuing our discussion of Sin City Graphic Novels, let us take a look at the second book in the series, ‘A Dame to Kill For‘
A Dame to Kill For
Like ‘ The Hard Go… Read More
2023-10-11 21:49
In this post, we will take a look at two adaptations of the play ‘Dial M for Murder’, written by Frederick Knott. Wait Until Dark, a movie I recently reviewed, is also based on… Read More
2023-10-10 13:10
‘Wait until Dark’ is a chilling psychological thriller, directed by Terrence Young and adapted from a play of the same name by Frederick Knott. With Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin, R… Read More
2023-10-09 10:36
In my past review of Body Double, I had mentioned that it was a homage to both Hitchcock movies,Rear Window and Vertigo. Obsession, a movie he made earlier in 1976 is another tribute to Ver… Read More
2023-10-08 04:11
‘Night of the Hunter’ is a chilling film noir thriller, featuring Robert Mitchum in the iconic role of psychopathic, serial killing preacher, arguably his best performance, eve… Read More
2023-10-06 19:40
Having dug deep into several aspects of Film Noir, I feel I am in a much better place, to review Frank Miller’ graphic novels. The obvious question here is: What do a set of comic book… Read More
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